One study found that 5% tea tree oil gel was almost four times more effective at reducing acne lesions and almost six times more effective at reducing acne severity than a placebo.

In another study, a gel containing 5% tea tree oil was proven equally effective at reducing pimples as a lotion containing 5% benzoyl peroxide, a common acne medication.

The tea tree oil treatment also resulted in fewer adverse effects than benzoyl peroxide. These include dryness, irritation and burning.

It’s important to note that tea tree oil is very potent and can cause redness and irritation when applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it should be diluted with water or a carrier oil.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Acne

Combine one part tea tree oil with nine parts water.

Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it directly to pimples.

Apply moisturizer, if desired.

Repeat this process one to two times per day, as needed.

SUMMARYTea tree oil fights inflammation and acne-causing bacteria. Applying it to the skin has been shown to reduce pimples.

2. Spot Treat With Other Essential Oils

In addition to tea tree oil, there are many other essential oils with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help clear up pimples quickly.

A large scientific review found that essential oils of cinnamon, rose, lavender and clove fight acne-causing bacteria, S. epidermidis and P. acnes.

Rosemary and lemongrass were also shown to effectively inhibit P. acnes.

One study compared the acne-fighting abilities of clove-basil oil, 10% benzoyl peroxide and a placebo. Both the 2% and 5% clove-basil oils were found to be more effective and faster at reducing pimples than benzoyl peroxide.

Another study found that a gel containing acetic acid, orange and sweet basil essential oils resulted in a 75% increase in the healing rate of pimples.

Like tea tree oil, these essential oils are very concentrated and can cause irritation if applied directly to the skin.

How to Use Essential Oils for Acne

Combine one part essential oil with nine parts water.

Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it directly to pimples.

Apply moisturizer, if desired.

Repeat this process one to two times per day, as needed.

SUMMARY

Other essential oils including cinnamon, rose, lavender, clove and rosemary have been found to inhibit acne-causing bacteria. Applying these oils to the skin may help reduce pimples.

3. Apply Green Tea to the Skin

A lot of people drink green tea for its health benefits, but it can also be helpful when applied directly to the skin.

Green tea contains flavonoids and tannins, which are known to help fight inflammation and bacteria that may cause pimples.

It is also high in the antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to fight inflammation, reduce sebum production and inhibit the growth of P. acnes in people with acne-prone skin.

Multiple studies have shown that people with acne experience significantly less sebum production and pimples when they apply a 2–3% green tea extract to their skin.

There are a handful of skincare products on the market that contain green tea, but it is very simple and cost-effective to make your own mixture at home.

How to Use Green Tea for Acne

Steep green tea in boiling water for 3–4 minutes.

Allow the tea to cool.

Apply it to your face with a cotton ball or spritz it on using a spray bottle.

Leave it on for 10 minutes or overnight, and then rinse your face with water.

Apply 1–2 times per day, as needed. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

SUMMARY

Green tea is high in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and fight bacteria. Applying it to the skin has been shown to significantly reduce pimples.

4. Moisturize With Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a tropical plant with leaves that produce a clear gel.

When applied to the skin, aloe vera gel has been shown to help fight bacteria, reduce inflammation and promote wound healing.

Because of this, it’s a popular treatment for a variety of skin conditions including psoriasis, rashes, cuts and burns.

There are limited studies on the ability of aloe vera to fight pimples specifically, but existing research is promising.

In one study, varying concentrations of aloe vera gel were added to clove-basil oil lotion and evaluated for anti-acne properties. The higher the concentration of aloe vera in the lotion, the more effective it was at reducing pimples.

Another study found that using 50% aloe vera gel with tretinoin cream was significantly more effective at clearing up pimples than tretinoin cream alone. Tretinoin cream is an acne medication derived from vitamin A.

Although aloe vera gel on its own was not effective at treating pimples, it enhanced the anti-acne effects of clove-basil oil and tretinoin cream.

While there’s a possibility that aloe vera gel could help clear up pimples on its own, it may be more effective when combined with other remedies or medications.

How to Use Aloe Vera Gel for Acne

Scrape the gel out of the aloe leaves with a spoon.

Apply gel to the skin at the same time as other acne treatments. You may want to try mixing it with your other treatment, and then apply this to your skin. Or, you can apply the other acne treatment first, with the aloe gel over top.

Repeat 1–2 times per day, or as desired.

You can also purchase bottled aloe vera gel, but make sure it is pure aloe and does not contain added ingredients.

SUMMARYApplying aloe to the skin can help treat burns, heal wounds and fight inflammation. It has been shown to increase the anti-acne effects of other treatments, but more research is needed on its effects when used on its own.

Longer-Term Acne Remedies

Several other natural acne treatments have been shown to be effective with consistent, long-term use.

Although the remedies below might not get rid of pimples quickly, they can help prevent and heal acne over time.

Take a Zinc Supplement

The mineral zinc plays a role in wound healing and can help reduce inflammation.

Because of this, it has been studied as a possible treatment for pimples.

Research has indicated that people with acne tend to have lower levels of zinc in their blood than those with clear skin.

Taking a zinc supplement has been shown to help. In fact, several studies have found that taking 30–45 mg of elemental zinc per day can significantly reduce pimples.

In one particular study, 48 people with acne took zinc supplements three times per day. After eight weeks, 38 of them experienced an 80–100% reduction in pimples.

Zinc is available in many forms, each containing a different amount of elemental zinc.

Regardless of what form you choose, it’s probably best not to take more than the recommended upper limit of 40 mg of zinc per day.

You can also get omega-3 fatty acids by eating walnuts, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, salmon, sardines and anchovies.

However, the plant sources above contain the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and little to no EPA or DHA.

Taking a supplement with concentrated omega-3s can help you take in higher amounts of EPA and DHA to better treat pimples.

SUMMARY

Taking brewer’s yeast, zinc or fish oil orally may help prevent and reduce pimples over time. These supplements may not get rid of pimples quickly, but studies evaluating their long-term use show great promise.

Other Ways to Help Reduce Pimples

Although people have been using natural acne remedies for years, research on the topic is still emerging.

The remedies listed below may benefit acne-prone skin, but no studies exist on their ability to treat pimples:

Witch hazel: Applying witch hazel to the skin has been shown to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which could help prevent pimples.

Apple cider vinegar: The organic acids in apple cider vinegar may help kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce the appearance of scars.

Limit dairy intake: Two large studies reported that people who drank more milk tended to have more pimples, but more research is needed.

Try a honey and cinnamon mask:Honey and cinnamon have antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so they may benefit acne-prone skin when applied to it.

Reduce stress: Some studies have linked stress to an increase in acne severity. Ask your healthcare provider about relaxation techniques and lifestyle changes that might help you reduce your stress levels.

SUMMARY

A few other remedies may help you fight pimples naturally, including applying apple cider vinegar to the skin, limiting your dairy intake and reducing stress levels. However, these have little or no research behind them, so more studies are needed.

The Bottom Line

Pimples are a common problem that can be frustrating to treat.

Conventional treatments can cause redness, dryness or irritation, and many natural alternatives just don’t seem to work.

The home remedies listed in this article are supported by science as the most effective, natural ways to reduce pimples.

Applying various essential oils, green tea and aloe vera to the skin seems to be the quickest way to get rid of pimples, while supplements may require longer-term use.

The remedies in this article might not work for everyone, but could be worth a try.

If you live with severe acne, you may still want to consult a dermatologist.